Simple Peanut Butter Matcha Energy Bars {giveaway!}

This is a big milestone for me in the food world. I finally got over my fear of blending dates and it was so easy! Like, everyone needs to go do it right now. I’ll wait.

OH, you should probably see how to do it first. 😉 I didn’t get to snap any pictures because it was dark out when I made these, but I’m sure that there will be many more recipes where I’ll get the chance to. For now, let’s talk about these Simple Peanut Butter Matcha Energy Bars! (ps there might be a giveaway at the end so just bear with me;)

The Yum Squad theme this month is the #MysteryIngredient Challenge – share a recipe with peanut butter and a mystery ingredient… matcha!

I’m not an expert but from what I’ve seen, matcha is essentially green tea but it has more health benefits because you drink the whole leaf, as opposed to just water flavored from the leaf.

I’m actually not a big fan of green tea! I really want to like it, but I just can’t drink it straight up. With these, though, the taste is so subtle. You can totally add more matcha if you like the taste, or just leave it out if you want plain energy bars! Whatever you do, just be super proud knowing you made these yourself. Seriously, these taste just like a Larabar!

As for some real life updates, Spring Break 2k15 officially starts after school today! I’m not going anywhere this year because I still have my college class (I do NOT want to miss a week of Calc II) but it will be really nice to have a break from regular school! I want to get caught up on writing some posts (and SLEEP), but I’ll still be fairly busy – track practice everyday and work. But really you guys – I work from 10-8 tomorrow. That is a one-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight-nine-TEN hour day. Plus a run before that. Wish me luck!!

I’m definitely going to be taking a few of these energy bars with me.. making pizza is hard work!

Simple Peanut Butter Matcha Energy Bars

2015-03-24 19:21:36

Yields 6

A super healthy yet satisfying snack that's made with only six ingredients!

If your dates aren't sticky, cover them with warm water for a few minutes. Take them out and pat just a little with a towel then remove the pits (if they have them) and place in a blender or food processor. Blend until there aren't any big clumps.

Add in the peanut butter, oatmeal, hemp seeds, and sea salt and blend until incorporated.

Add in the matcha and blend again. Take an 8 x 8 pan and line it with wax paper. Press the date mixture in with your hands and flatten it out. Cover with saran wrap and place in the fridge or freezer until firmed up.

Cut into bars and love yourself for making this healthy snack!

By Leigha

The Yooper Girl http://theyoopergirl.com/

What you’ve been waiting for… the giveaway! Peanut Butter & Co is being so generous to offer one lucky reader two jars of their choice! Just follow the instructions below 😀

Comments

I HAVE NOT MADE MY OWN ENERGY BARS, BUT THESE LOOK DELICIOUS. I love adding dates to my smoothies, and I will like them in these, too. I haven’t tried matcha powder yet…something new 🙂 I’d like to make these energy bars with my teen daughters so that they can take them to school for a snack between classes. Enjoy spring break, and good for you for taking Calc II. I did that when I was in high school, too, and received a lot of transfer credits to Michigan Tech. It was well worth the extra effort.

I have never made my own energy bars but should one of these days. I am a distance runner and am very picky about the types of bars I use to fuel my body. Making my own would ensure I know what I am consuming!

These Macha bars look delicious! I like the ingredient list you used for these: oats, dates, macha, peanut butter and more! I actually haven’t used macha in protein/energy bars — yet! I hope I win the giveaway! I love nut butters!

I’ve never made my own energy bars, nor have I blended dates either; I do make a pretty good protein cookie with oats, protein powder and bananas, and sometimes peanut butter or applesauce. (it would probably be better with dates) I’ve never tried matcha, but like you I’m not a great fan of green tea unless I flavor it up, usually with lemon and stevia (I also make this russian spice tea mix, it’s loaded with artificial sweetners and stuff but it helps with the tea drinking)

I have made my own energy bars before. They didn’t turn out the greatest, but were edible. Anything made with peanut butter is worth a shot though! I love the peanut butter cookie Lara bars and they are made with dates, so I think I would really love these that you have made too!!